Category: Media

Another late start

I’m always a late starter in so many ways. Amongst my friends, I was the last to commit to a mortgage, last to get a mobile phone, resisted signing up to Sky Sports, last to pass my driving test, christ, I’ve still to get married.

So after hearing with little interest about the latest big thing on Netflix, I decided on an impulse to sign up and see what all the fuss was about. I guess at the back of my mind I was thinking of the long winter dark nights and it would be a good time to catch up on what I had missed.

I’ve been subscribed to Nextflix now for a week and I have watched little else than a diverse range of documentaries and dramas. First up was the series every guy seemingly has to watch: Narcos, which was brilliant in so many ways. The mix of archive footage, heavy narration and authentic realism of the drama made it addictive viewing. So this is what Netflix is all about…….

Then I went on to the documentary ‘Get Me Roger Stone’, as I still couldn’t’t work out how Trump gained the presidency of th e United States of America. I had read Hillary Clinton’s book ‘What Happened’ and that shed some light on the Trump phenomenon. But watching this documentary was shocking, revealing and made me fear for what is really possible in today’s world. Talk about the Dark Arts of Politics??!? How the electorate can be led down such a sinister and divisive journey is deeply depressing. This is a must watch documentary.

Next up was ‘Minimalism’. The underlying message in this documentary is simple: Live with less. It will help us both personally and as a society. This would be watched not only for anyone who wants to live a simpler life, but for everyone. I guess I have not been sucked in by many who consume a great deal in their day to day life. But this really made me think about what I need and what physical baggage I need to get rid of. I immediately scoured my flat and got a huge amount of stuff to sell at next weekend’s boot sale. The process was thoroughly therapeutic.

The latest viewing was Season One of ‘Making a murderer’. Now I’ve heard about this series for a long time and boy it didn’t disappoint. We were introduced to Steven Avery, a man who spent 18 years in prison despite being wrongfully convicted of sexual assault. Several years after he was released, he was accused of murder, found guilty and sent back to prison.

It was stunning and disturbing. A masterpiece in documentary making and a warning to us all. It really did make you think about the fundamental and seismic faults within a democratic legal system. You’d never trust another jury after you watch this. I watched this in two sittings. Watch, think, discuss, debate. If television has any value in modern society, this it is.v

I have a long list of art to watch next……Black Mirror, Mindhunter, The Vietnam War, The Staircase, 22 July, Better Call Saul, Fargo, House of Cards…..

The weather and the Americans

They say that us Brits are obsessed with the weather but our cousins in America seem fixated with reporting any weather conditions which are in any way extreme. Admittedly the conditions over in Florida who are facing the wrath of Hurricane Michael are exceptionally severe but boy are they obsessively covering the impending storms. Loss of life is a possibility but America is probably best place to survive the hurricane when compared to elsewhere in the world.

I’m watching the coverage on CNN (unfortunately the cricket is rained off) and they have cleared their schedule to over the weather. I have always believed the news is where the journalists are located, as opposed to the journalists heading out to wherever the story is. And this is very much the case with CNN. They have even suspended their savage criticism of Trump (even though much of it is deserved) and they have reporters dotted along the coast of Florida.

Whatever happens, this is the main story of the day. Even if the storm miraculously loses its awesome power, I think this development will be lost on CNN. They have invested too much money and airtime on this story. I guess it makes good TV. Reporters battling against the wind and rain creates startling imagery. Interviewing the few residents who have decided to ride out the storm gives the story a personal, emotional pull. Local politicians fight each other to been seen predicting the end of the world. It’s much easier than discussing the dangers of climate change. Far too complex and demanding for the mind.

I’m only waiting on Trump to demonstrate an air of indifference to the effects of Hurricane Michael. I think the CNN journalists will to a man and woman explode with righteous anger and excitement.

My first visit to see Arsenal on Sunday

I guess for a blog, primarily based on my views supporting Arsenal, it will seem a little odd that I’ve waited until mid-February to attend my first game.

It’s many years (back to my early teenage years), since I last waited until seven months before attending my first home game. There’s no specific reason why it’s taken so long. I still go to the pub to watch the big games and watch all the other games at home. Have I missed attending the games?? Not particularly. I must admit I miss the pre-match beers a great deal. That sense of anticipation. But once the game starts, I actually enjoy watching the game either in the pub or at home.

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“Paying the wages of Michael Owen??”

That was the reaction of one of my friends when I told them I had just signed up with BT Sport for the next 18 months. My reply was, well you pay for the wages of Steve Claridge and Garth Crooks when paying your TV licence.

It works out that I’ll be paying at extra £10 per month. I spent in excess of that watching us beat Chelsea on Sunday. I’ll still head out to the pub for the big games, but it there are many reason for wanting BT Sport, in addition to my Sky Sports package. Having access to the extra Premiership games, as well as the FA Cup will be great on occasions. And I’m a huge fan of Italian football, so watching the Rome derby on a Sunday evening will be the perfect end to a weekend. But the real jewel of the crown is the Champions League games. I just couldn’t face the prospect of missing out on watching Europe’s finest (and Manchester United) in action after a day at work.

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Footballer in drunken shame

It’s clearly a quiet news week, as the papers have been full of disgust at a young footballer rolling around drunk on holiday.

Jack Grealish has emerged from nowhere to national prominence during the last the season. He’s played in a struggling team, so his good, consistent form has been all the more commendable. Following an FA Cup final appearance, facing another season in the PL ahead of him and with Roy Hodgson courting his services, he was more than entitled for a celebratory holiday.

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Watching the Women’s World Cup?

Women’s World Cup is full swing in Canada and already it’s getting more coverage than ever.

Credit to the BBC who have devoted a fair amount of resources to covering the event. Though this may largely be down to the cost of securing the rights and the lack of competition from the likes of Sky and BT Sport.

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‘Do I breathe in, do I breathe out’

I guess there’s a pattern of sorts running through many blogs. This one won’t be any different. It’s not an obsession, but it’s not too far off one.

Like many sports fans in the UK, I have a love-hate relationship with TalkSport. We have a great appetite for all sports news but listening to the output is maddening. And Arsenal fans are enraged more than most. The anti-Arsenal bias from the likes of Durham, Quinn and Cundy (who calls himself the fun boy…..he’s in his 40’s) shouldn’t annoy me, but I bite far too easily. The world of sport is such a diverse world, with the potential for engaging, interactive shows.

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